I’m not often compelled to write about the royal family. After all, this website is a piano and music education blog. However, the past week has been rather surreal for those of us here in the UK. It’s as though time has stood still. We knew that the late Queen’s time was limited and her impending death sadly couldn’t be too far away. In a similar manner to the mourning of Princess Diana over twenty-five years ago, many feel the sadness.

On September 8th, we lost our longest reigning monarch. We also lost someone on whom the country had come to rely. She supported us throughout numerous important events and milestones during both the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. I, like many others, have never known anyone else on the throne. The Queen’s determination and dignity were remarkable. She showed total devotion to the job and she kept her vow to serve the country until the day she died.

Windsor Castle was the late Queen’s favourite royal residence, and it was where she had based herself since 2011. As a Windsor resident, I have the opportunity to regularly witness the pomp and ceremony of royalty. I see it every day in the changing of the guard which is an ancient, beautifully choreographed affair and innumerable tourists descend on the town each week to enjoy it.

My daily walk usually incorporates the Long Walk – an impressive tree-lined avenue which stretches three miles from the castle to the Copper Horse – a bronze equestrian statue of George III. Erected in 1831, this statue was designed by Richard Westmacott. It’s from here that I frequently saw the little black helicopter rise above the castle, transporting the Queen to one of her countless engagements. At 96, how did she find the energy to undertake these engagements day after day? It’s true that, due to her unusual position, she had a whole bevy of staff and plenty of funding making the task somewhat ‘easier’. But one still needs dedication, motivation, and sheer tenacity to continue working at that great age. Feeling that ongoing desire to make a difference is also crucial.

Those of us who live in Windsor always knew when Her Majesty was in residence – the flag would fly high over the castle. Windsor Castle is a truly majestic site and if you haven’t had the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend spending a day here. The castle was where the Queen lived as a child during the second world war, probably explaining her love for the place. It is the longest serving royal residence in Europe and parts of the building date back to the eleventh century. It was built after the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. I have recently been exploring its background for a new piano book which will be published by Schott next year. My forthcoming publication features the phenomena of the paranormal. The occult deeply interests me and this volume will focus on ghostly apparitions and supernatural places and events from around the world.

One of the many fascinating facts about the castle is that it supposedly houses over 25 ghosts. We may expect such a grand residence to house ‘royal’ spirits, especially as quite a few of them are buried within the grounds. But Windsor Castle is considered one of the most haunted places to visit in the UK. Sightings have included Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Charles I, and Queen Victoria. Allegedly the late Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, often witnessed the presence of these spirits.

One of my favourite ‘ghostly tales’ is about Queen Victoria. British Paranormal reports that she apparently ‘objected’ to alterations at Windsor’s gardens by her great grandson, Edward VIII. Edward set about removing spruce trees planted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. However, the tree removals never took place. In 1936, workmen were plagued by mysterious ‘phenomena’. They also claimed to have seen the ‘ghostly’ figure of the queen herself. She stomped towards them, ‘waving her arms and moaning loudly’. I haven’t been privy to any such spiritual encounters during my many occasions teaching the piano within the castle, but from copious reported sightings, I have no doubt that they exist.

St. George’s Chapel, within the castle grounds, was the venue for Prince Phillip’s funeral last year. It was here that we witnessed the Queen in such sorrow as she sat alone in the pews. Tomorrow, the funeral will be watched by millions the world over. Media stations have been set-up at strategic points around the town: these are similar to those prepared for the Royal Wedding four years ago. The Queen’s committal service will be held here after the funeral at Westminster Abbey in London. She will be buried at King George VI Memorial Chapel. There she will rest alongside other members of the royal family. As we enter this new Carolean era, may she, unlike some of her predecessors, rest in peace.

Find out more about Windsor Castle, here.